(850) 249-9636

12133 Panama City Beach Parkway 32407

About Us

 
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Meet Dr. Joel. G. Prather, PsyD

Welcome to my practice! I bring a unique perspective to therapy, drawing on a diverse background before specializing in psychology. My primary focus is on Behavioral Medicine, where I employ a "mind-body" approach to mental health. This allows me to address the intricate connections between mental and physical well-being.

My Approach

Collaborative Guidance: In one-on-one counseling, I empower you to address your concerns, set meaningful goals, and work toward achieving them. My role is to guide you, not dictate your path, helping you focus on your issues and navigate toward effective solutions.
Assessment Tools: I utilize various testing and techniques to identify problem areas, enabling us to develop tailored strategies for your journey forward.

Areas of Expertise

  • Mental Health Counseling: I specialize in supporting individuals with a range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
  • Psychotherapy: My practice encompasses relationship issues, chronic pain management, and chronic illness support, with an emphasis on problem-solving techniques that often begin in our first session.
  • Substance Abuse Concerns: I work with individuals facing alcohol and substance abuse disorders, providing compassionate guidance throughout their recovery journey.
  • LGBTQ+ Support: I offer compassion and understanding for LGBTQ issues, ensuring a safe space for all clients.

Additional Qualifications

As a certified Ericksonian Hypnotherapist, I integrate hypnosis into my practice to facilitate deeper healing. My certification as a Neuropsychotherapist allows me to combine insights from neurology and psychology, enhancing the healing process by maximizing our understanding of brain function. While I am also a Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist, I am gradually shifting my focus to provide more general counseling services.
I look forward to working with you on this journey toward healing and growth! Together, we can navigate the challenges you face and pave the way for a fulfilling life.
Contact Us Today

Start living your life to its fullest potential. Take back control, start fresh, set realistic goals and live life with purpose.

Ashley, Office Manager

Ashley serves as the office manager at Beach Counseling, bringing an extensive background in medical practice management to the team. With two years of dedicated service, she excels at coordinating appointments, managing benefits, conducting assessments, and verifying insurance, ensuring a smooth experience for both clients and staff. Her passion for working in the mental health field shines through in her commitment to providing exceptional support to clients, making her an invaluable asset to the practice.

Additional Staff and Therapists 

We’re excited to announce that our practice is expanding! More therapists are joining our team soon, including a bilingual therapist who will start on August 1st. Stay tuned for more details as we continue to enhance our services and support for our diverse community!
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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How will I know if you're the right therapist for me?
The only way to really know if we're a good fit is if you come in and have a session or two with me. From there you can decide if you want to continue.

Q: What can I expect from each session?
We will go on a wonderful journey together in which I will ask you many thought-provoking questions. Your answers will often dictate the direction of our work together.

Q: How long are the appointments?
My appointments last from 45 - 50 minutes which is standard practice for a typical therapy session. I do offer longer sessions upon request.

Q: How often will we meet?
It really depends on your needs, but I typically recommend once a week.

Q: Do you accept insurance?
 Yes, most all insurances are accepted, including Medicaid and Medicare

Q: Can I cancel one of our sessions?
We require 24 hour notice so that we can provide someone else in need with that time.  In some cases, there may be an early cancelation fee.

Q: Do you prescribe medication?
We do not prescribe medication, but we will  refer you back to your primary care provider or a psychiatrist and collaborate with them to maximize your needs.